PNorthern Territory Mango Association President Ross Maxwell showing off local produce at the launch of the National Broadband Network in Humpty Doo.Source: News Corp Australia

UP TO 9000 Australian homes in remote and regional areas now have the opportunity to be connected to the world wide web.

In a new project brought out by NBN Co, the Satellite Support Scheme will connect premises in remote and regional mainland Australia and Tasmania, until the expected launch of NBN Co’s Long Term Satellite Service in late 2015.

The scheme will install a satellite dish on each eligible building with cables running into a modem device.

The scheme does not cover remote islands.

NBN Co spokesman Joe Dennis said connecting people to the community is “an absolute necessity”.

“The internet is no longer a luxury – it’s an absolute necessity,” he said.

“This scheme is designed to fill those holes between now and when the long term satellite services comes aboard.”

Wholesaler IP Star will deliver the scheme, along with participating internet service providers.

NBN Co chief customer officer John Simon said delivering broadband to the most remote communities across Australia is one of NBN Co’s highest priorities.

“With high demand for broadband in regional areas, this initiative is essential to providing a reliable service to families and businesses that cannot access a commercial broadband service today,” said Mr Simon.

The NSS Scheme is designed to deliver wholesale speeds of up to four megabytes download and one megabytes upload.

The wholesale service is expected to have no upfront costs, with reduced ongoing maintenance charges over a minimum one year service term.

This is expected to reduce the barriers to accessing satellite services for users in remote locations.

Those eligible for the scheme comprise of residential users, small businesses, indigenous community organisations, not-for-profit organisations, education facilities and local government facilities.

Eligible customers then have up to four months to place an order with their chosen ISP before registration validity expires.

Last week, Darwin rural residents in parts of Humpty Doo, Howard Springs and Noonamah East went live on the National Broadband Network.

About 2700 homes, businesses and farms that switched over to NBN brought the total in rural Darwin to 3900.

Northern Territory Mango Industry president Ross Maxwell, who manages the Jabiru Tropical Orchards, said before NBN, discussing business with overseas investors was only possible six months of the year.

“A lightning hit on the ground could put us out. It’s not very reliable,” Mr Maxwell said.

“What this new rollout will effectively do is give investors the confidence to invest in the Territory. We want that investment money in Australia,” Mr Maxwell said.